The reception hall was alive with the sound of clinking glasses and laughter. I was still absorbing the whirlwind of the day when my father approached me, holding a plain envelope. « For you, » he said, his voice almost drowned out by the music. I nodded, slipping it into the pocket of my suit jacket, feeling the weight of his gaze even as he walked away.
As the evening unfolded, I noticed the discreet glances and murmured conversations amongst my new in-laws. My father, a man of simple means, had been anxious about this day. I knew whatever was in the envelope meant a great deal to him, but I hadn’t expected the quiet derision it seemed to elicit from the wealthier side of the family.
After the last dance and farewells, I found myself alone in the bridal suite, the envelope still unopened in my pocket. My wife was in the bathroom, removing her makeup. I took a deep breath and opened it, revealing a handwritten note and a modest sum of cash.
His note read: « This is all I could save. Thank you for making me proud. » The simplicity of his words and the sincerity behind the gesture cut through the noise of the day.
« Is everything okay? » my wife asked, emerging from the bathroom. I nodded, tucking the note back inside the envelope. « Yeah, everything’s fine, » I replied, though my mind was already racing ahead to the next family gathering, wondering how I would handle the silent judgments that had emerged today.
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